Around-the-World Roundup: 'Puss' Climbs to First

by Ray Subers

Puss in Boots

December 11, 2011

After gradually expanding in to the international marketplace over the past month and a half, Puss in Boots finally claimed first place at the overseas box office thanks to a handful of major openings. The movie grossed $47.1 million from 40 markets, 14 of which were new. Its biggest debut came in Germany, where its $7 million start was nearly double that of Shrek Forever After. It also opened well in Brazil ($5.9 million) and Australia ($4.1 million), though it was surprisingly soft in the United Kingdom ($3.1 million). The animated prequel was particularly impressive in Argentina, where its $2.7 million opening ranked fourth all-time. Puss in Boots has now made $143.7 million overseas, and is poised to pass $300 million worldwide (domestic plus foreign) in the next few days.

Without any new markets, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 fell 51 percent to an estimated $19.8 million. Its biggest territories were Germany ($3.1 million) and South Korea ($1.9 million). The penultimate Twilight movie has so far earned $374 million internationally and $633.4 million worldwide.

Arthur Christmas added $15.1 million in 63 markets for an overseas total of $58.6 million. It had a handful of decent openings, including $3.3 million in Russia and $1.4 million in Spain.

Corresponding with its domestic debut, New Year's Eve opened to $12.75 million in 36 overseas markets this weekend. Its $2.7 million in Australia and $2.4 million in the U.K. were less than half of Valentine's Day's openings last year. Its $1.8 million in Germany was also off, though not by nearly as much.

Intouchables had one of its biggest drops yet, though that didn't stop it from holding first place for the sixth-straight weekend in France. The box office sensation added $9.7 million for a massive total of $115.2 million there, and across its three territories it has now earned $123.4 million.

Happy Feet Two continued to shuffle along this weekend. The dancing penguins sequel added $9.7 million for a total of $48.9 million. It debuted to $1.3 million in France, which is less than half its predecessor's opening.

Driven by a solid $3.3 million opening in South Korea, The Adventures of Tintin grossed $6.9 million for a foreign total of $232.5 million. In what's been a long-time coming, domestic audiences are now just a week and a half away from seeing the Steven Spielberg animated adventure.